Co-Owner Matthew Glazier Dishes on Kane Steakhouse Changes

Photo by Laine Doss

​What was the impetus behind the departure of executive chef Daniel Ganem from Kane Steakhouse in South Beach?

Matthew Glazier, president of The Glazier Group and co-owner of Kane, candidly told Short Order, "We weren't happy with what was coming out of the kitchen. We saw the need for an improvement."

Glazier added that his restaurants "tend to be chef-driven" and that the decision to let Ganem go was "a tough decision".

The decision was purely business. Glazier added, " I like Daniel and wish him nothing but the best".

Glazier said the search is already on for a new executive chef. In the interim, Glazier has installed the chef de cuisine from Strip House in Naples, Mark Van Schaick. Van Schaick has been with the Glazier Group since 1994. Nothing is etched in stone, however. When asked if there was a possibility that Van Schaick might stay at Kane, Glazier said, "Who knows? Maybe he'll fall in love with Miami Beach?"

The Strip House chain was awarded four stars by Forbes in December, 2010. The New York location was named one of Sam Sifton's 50 favorite restaurants in June, 2010 and the Las Vegas location was awarded "best steakhouse" in the Las Vegas Review Journal's 2011 Best of Las Vegas.

The Glazier Group owns and operates The Strip House chain, as well as several other restaurants and hotels, including Michael Jordan's The Steakhouse in New York.

Glazier also said that restaurant manager John Thai, formerly of Carpaccio Restaurant in Bal Harbour, left on his own accord a few weeks ago.

Glazier sees the transitions at Kane as necessary ones for the success of the restaurant. "It's our responsibility to be the best we can be", he said. "I love the restaurant and I'm happy with it. But I want to be happier." Glazier is a co-owner of Kane Steakhouse, along with Roman Jones and Justin Levine. Though based in New York, Glazier has been very hands-on at Kane, commuting back and forth to Miami Beach to oversee the operation.

Lee Klein broke the story of executive chef Daniel Ganem no longer at Kane Steakhouse on Saturday, which was somewhat of a surprise.  After all, it was just a week ago that Ganem represented Kane at the James Beard Foundation dinner at Red the Steakhouse.

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